On the night of 2 January 1976 gales of 100mph struck the British Isles in the worst storm for over twenty years. The gales caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure and contributed to at least 34 deaths. In coastal areas, severe winds whipped the sea over defence structures, causing local flooding.
In Borth, many homes and buildings along the seafront were damaged. In one house, the force of the sea bulldozed its contents from its rear into the front bay window. Other buildings, such as the Leri Garage, were nearly completely destroyed.
Local resident Anthony Morris recalled that, during the storm, he was in the attic of his father’s house. He remembers looking out of the west-facing dormer window to see a huge wave heading towards the garage and the row of houses. He crouched and hid below the level of the window sill as the wave arrived. There was an almighty crash and grinding noises. To date, this is the only storm during which he has been scared of the sea.
Contributor:Â Anthony Morris
